Revision as of 05:13, 25 September 2009

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A Ban on Big Box Stores, Measure C citizen-led initiative measure will appear on the November 3, 2009 ballot in the City of Ventura, in Ventura County, California. Approximately 8,000 signatures were gathered for ballot qualification purposes.

The initiative bans any new store that is larger than 90,000 square feet from selling groceries.

After initiative supporters collected enough signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot, the city council had the option of whether to approve the initiated legislation as written, or have it go on the ballot. On December 15, 2008, the council made the decision to allow the initiative to go to the ballot.

Some council members spoke against the initiative, saying it could hurt the area's economy.

The initiative does not mention "Wal-Mart", but its supporters began working on the initiative after news surfaced that Wal-Mart wanted to replace a former K-mart store on Victoria Avenue with a store of its own.[1]

Support

Arguments in favor of Measure C for the official voter guide were signed by:

"Superstores generate a vast number of car and 18-wheeler delivery truck trips each day."

When a Wal-Mart store is in a community, it "dramatically increase[s] the need for police services."

A Wal-Mart Superstore would be detrimental to "the quality of life that we cherish in Ventura."

This ordinance would allow Ventura to "welcome needed retailers" with very large stores such as Best Buy or IKEA because it only prevents very large stores from selling groceries.

Opposition

Arguments against Measure C for the official voter guide were signed by Christy Weir, the Mayor of Ventura; Neal Andrews, a city council member; Carl Morehouse, a city council member; and Lorraine Foster, a community activist.

The arguments they made against Measure C include:

Measure C will not prevent Wal-Mart from coming to Ventura; it will only prevent a certain type of Wal-Mart store, the Wal-Mart Superstore that sells groceries.

Preventing a new grocery store through Measure C will eliminate competition and increase grocery prices.

Measure C is not about protecting Ventura's qualify of life. It is about a union and "some giant grocery chains" acting to avoid future competition for their own selfish reasons.

According to the opponents, "A 'yes' vote means you are satisfied with the grocery prices of Ralph's, Von's and Albertson's."